Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    lowinthehole's Avatar
    lowinthehole Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    May 10, 2009, 04:19 PM
    Hard to flush toilet
    We have a low flow toilet in our Master bath. The toilet is in a room on its own with a door but yet is in the master bath suite.

    The toilet handle is hard to press down and the seal on flushing unit gets a strong vacuum and very had to break free the first time.

    We have tightened the handle but it doesn't affect our problem.

    Sure would appreciate any tips you can provide and we will be grateful forever!

    Thanks
    afaroo's Avatar
    afaroo Posts: 4,006, Reputation: 251
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #2

    May 10, 2009, 05:21 PM

    Is it the handle the flapper or the chain, disconeect the chain from the handle arm check is it still hard, if it is then this is the handle the nut should not be too tight.

    If the handle moves free with the chain disconnected then the problem is with flapper valve, check and get back to us, Thanks.

    John
    goodmike's Avatar
    goodmike Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #3

    May 10, 2009, 07:42 PM
    The level of the water in the toilet tank determines the water pressure against the flapper. As the water lever is one foot or less, there is minimal pressure against the flapper. Is room vacuum causing resistance to the flush valve? I doubt it! Room vacuum would cause a poor flush, more noticeable than flapper valve resistance. Normally, a flapper valve should be easy to pull away from the opening, thus flushing the comode. I have seen flapper valves sticking to the sealing seat due to poor quality rubber... it deteriorates, becoming sticky. I would replace, what looks like a good flush valve, with a good quality new valve.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #4

    May 11, 2009, 05:46 AM
    I like Mikes explanation of a flapper with Neoprene that gets sticky as it deteriorates.
    Run your finger around the flat part of the flapper. If it feels rough, Sticky oryou have color on your hands replace the flapper. As for the flush valve , I think replacing it is overkill. Simply wipe the seat clean. But if you feel rough spots or nicks the flush valve's bad and should be replaced also. Good luck, Tom
    Milo Dolezal's Avatar
    Milo Dolezal Posts: 7,192, Reputation: 523
    Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #5

    May 11, 2009, 09:52 AM

    ... Also, it may be old flopper that became too soft. Now it sticks too well to the bottom that it is hard to lift. In this case, solution would be to replace the flopper...

    Let us know what you found out... Milo
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Toilet won't flush correctly [ 3 Answers ]

We have lived in this house for a year now. About 6 months ago our second toilet started acting up. We have 2 young kids. So I did what every father did and asked what they flushed. And I got what every father gets as an answer Nothing. Well I think they were right. I had a plumber out about 2...

Toilet won't flush properly [ 3 Answers ]

Toilet has to be flushed then wait to refill and flush again before all is cleared?

Toilet does not fill after flush [ 1 Answers ]

Hello new to this site, my gray water lines do not empty into septic. Recycle back to flower beds. When washing sinks gurgle, also after flushing toliets do not fill back up water level is very low and slow to flush home is 6 mos old gray water sprinkler system seems to be working ok but i do...

Handle goes down, but toilet doesn't flush [ 2 Answers ]

Hi, I press the handle on the toilet, but the toilet does not flush. The screw(?) inside the tank attached to the handle appears to be rusted. Chain is intact. What do I do? Thanks much!

Toilet Flush [ 1 Answers ]

I just installed a new bathroom in my basement. The toilet has a good flush action but just fills with water. It does not have the suction to flush a piece of tissue. The water evenutally seeps out to the correct level. I have tried two different toliets and wax rings but still have the...

View more questions Search